Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that James Forrest should come straight back into the side for Sunday's Old Firm Derby.

Forrest spent six months on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle against Riga in the Europa League back in September, only returning to action in Celtic's goalless draw at Dundee United earlier this month, the day Rangers were crowned Scottish Premiership champions.

The winger, who reportedly earns £16,200-a-week, replaced captain Scott Brown with 12 minutes remaining at Tannadice Park, handing the managerless Hoops a major boost ahead of their third meeting of the season with Rangers, as they hope to salvage some pride from what's been a miserable campaign.

Despite that late cameo being Forrest's only first-team competitive action since his long-term injury, McAvennie believes that the Scottish international has to be picked by John Kennedy to start the game at Celtic Park, providing his fitness allows him.

He told Football FanCast: "I think if he's fit enough, I think he's a must. They've been playing Christie in there, and he keeps coming into the middle, he's not a winger.

"I think him and Jonjoe Kenny can form a good partnership, so if he's fit, he's a stick on to come back into the team. I would get an hour off him, then you know if he's got it. I don't agree with giving him half-hour because the guy is a talent and will cause him problems."